The New Orleans Saints might have an unexpected source to thank if they manage to break their dreadful losing streak on Sunday: Pope Francis himself. The leader of the Catholic Church inadvertently sparked hope among Saints fans when he made a social media post that included a reference to “the Saints,” leading many to interpret it as a blessing for their struggling NFL team.
On Friday, Pope Francis took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a message about the righteous lives of saints. He wrote: “The #Saints are formed by the Beatitudes: poor, meek, merciful, hungering and thirsting for justice, seeking peace. They are ‘filled with God’ and incapable of remaining indifferent to the needs of their neighbour. They bear witness to paths of light that we too can trod.”
While the Pope was clearly referring to the Christian saints, fans of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints couldn’t resist the opportunity to have a little fun with his post, especially given the team’s current 2-6 record.
The Saints, who have been struggling mightily since starting the season with two wins, have lost six straight games, putting them third in the NFC South standings. With the Pope’s unexpected mention of the “Saints,” many fans jokingly wondered if divine intervention could be what the team needs to turn their season around.
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Social media quickly lit up with comments and jokes in response to the Pope’s post. One user wrote, “Your Holiness, I have no #Saints on my roster. Is this something I need to take to confession?” capturing the humor of fans who are well aware of the team’s struggles. Another fan added, “Not to be that guy, but I’m not even sure your blessings are gonna help that team right now,” acknowledging the challenge the Saints face as they try to end their losing streak.
Other fans imagined the Pope chuckling whenever he uses the hashtag #Saints, knowing that football fans would inevitably think of the struggling team. “He has to chuckle every time he uses that hashtag, like he knows we’re gonna talk about the football team that’s doing awful this year,” one fan chimed in.
Another user, clearly sympathetic but blunt, wrote, “Your Holiness, they are 2-6,” emphasizing just how much the Saints need help. A fifth fan responded with, “I know the #Saints disappoint you just like they do everyone else,” highlighting the shared frustration of Saints fans everywhere.
The New Orleans Saints have been in a tough spot since their promising start to the season, with six consecutive losses leaving fans desperate for any kind of positive sign.
The team’s next chance to right the ship comes this Sunday, when they face off against the Carolina Panthers. Interestingly enough, the Saints defeated the Panthers in Week 1, and fans are hopeful that they can do it again when they meet on November 3—appropriately, “The Lord’s Day.”
This is not the first time the Saints have received an inadvertent blessing from Pope Francis. Back in 2019, the Pope made a similar post about saints, writing: “Today we give thanks to the Lord for our new #Saints. They walked by faith and now we invoke their intercession.”
At the time, the Saints were preparing to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, and despite being without their star quarterback Drew Brees, they managed to come away with a win. The coincidence led many fans to believe that the Pope’s words had somehow contributed to their victory.
As the Saints prepare for their matchup against the Panthers, fans are once again looking to the Pope’s words as a sign of hope. Perhaps the unintended blessing will inspire the team to break their losing streak and turn their season around. While divine intervention may be a stretch, the coincidence has certainly given Saints fans something to smile about in the midst of a difficult season.
Whether or not the Pope’s words have any impact on the outcome of Sunday’s game, the connection has already brought a sense of humor and optimism to a fanbase that desperately needs it.
The New Orleans Saints may be struggling, but with a little bit of faith—and maybe a little help from the Pope—they just might find a way to get back on track.
